REVISED plans for a £1.5 billion redevelopment of the area around Coventry Railway Station have been submitted to the council.

In January outline planning permission for the Friargate development – which will include 14 office buildings, two hotels, new streets, homes and shops – was granted.

But the proposals to dramatically change the way traffic moves around the area were dismissed after residents complained their streets would suffer increased congestion.

Now following a consultation on the issue a new outline planning application has been submitted, which alters the way traffic is managed around the site.

One of the hotels has been moved and taxis will have a dedicated route in and out of the station to ease congestion.

And all traffic will now be permitted to head northbound across junction six on the ring road in to the city.

This means that anti-clockwise access to the ring road from the south, which would have been impossible under the original proposals, will now be allowed.

But under the new plans only public transport will be able to travel in both directions along Warwick Road, north of junction six.

Coun Linda Bigham, cabinet member for city development said: “This is a fantastic development and a great opportunity for Coventry.

“It will help to transform the area around the railway station, which for many people is their first impression of our great city.

“It will create thousands of jobs and connect into the city centre.

“No other city reinvents itself better than we do, but people are always more important than bricks and mortar. That is why I’m delighted that we have been able to work with local residents to make sure this development works for them too.”

The new office buildings will have restaurants and shops at ground level and a new public square will be created in front of the train station.

It is all part of an effort to make the city centre more accessible to rail commuters, according to Steve Reynolds, from developers Friargate.

“When you arrive in Coventry you cannot see a route into the city centre,” he said.

“All you see is taxis and buses and it can be quite confusing for new visitors.